Renthendorf/Jena, May 26, 2026. An attentive citizen successfully thwarted a fraud attempt by a fake detective in Renthendorf, Eastern Thuringia, on Monday afternoon. The real police are now issuing an urgent warning about this scam and providing important behavioral tips.
- Who: An unknown telephone fraudster (accent-free German, identified himself as “Kriminalpolizei”) and an attentive citizen.
- What: Attempted fraud via telephone (inquiry about assets for alleged seizure).
- When: Monday noon, May 25, 2026.
- Where: Renthendorf (Saale-Holzland-Kreis).
- Damage: No financial damage occurred, as the victim hung up in time.
The Incident in Renthendorf
On Monday afternoon, an unknown caller contacted a man in Renthendorf. The perpetrator broadly identified himself as an employee of the “Kriminalpolizei” on the phone but did not provide a specific name. During the conversation, the fraudster specifically tried to determine whether cash or other valuables were located in the recipient’s household. Furthermore, he offered to pick up these valuables as part of an alleged police “seizure.”
The man who received the call reacted in an exemplary manner: He recognized the fraudulent intent behind the call, ended the conversation immediately, and notified the real police. Because the individual saw through the scam, no property or financial damage occurred. According to the witness, the alleged police officer spoke accent-free German.
Police Warnings: How to Protect Yourself
The Landespolizeiinspektion is once again urgently warning against this and similar telephone scams. Fraudsters shamelessly exploit the authority of government agencies to put pressure on people, especially the elderly, and to deprive them of their savings. The real police clarify: Real police officers never ask about valuables on the phone and do not pick them up for seizure.
The following rules of conduct should be strictly observed in an emergency (checklist):
- Show healthy mistrust: The real police will never ask you on the phone to provide information about your financial circumstances, savings, or valuables.
- Do not hand over valuables: Police officers never pick up cash or valuables from your home to “secure” them or protect them from alleged burglaries.
- End the conversation immediately: Simply hang up at the slightest suspicion. You do not have to be polite on the phone.
- Conduct your own research: If in doubt, call the real police via the emergency number 110 or via the official number of your local station. Do not use the redial button on your phone for this; dial the number yourself.
- Do not disclose personal data: Never pass on details about your family or financial circumstances to strangers.
🛡️ Prevention & Advice: Grandchild Trick and Fake Police Officers
The “fake police officer” scam is closely related to the notorious “grandchild trick” (Enkeltrick). In both cases, organized fraud gangs use psychological pressure and shock messages (such as alleged fatal traffic accidents involving relatives or imminent burglaries in the neighborhood) to persuade victims to quickly hand over cash or gold.
Often, the emergency number 110 or the number of a real police station even appears on the victims’ telephone display through technological manipulation (“spoofing”). The police clarify: The real police never call citizens using the emergency number 110.
Source:
Fraudster poses as detective
Transparency Note: This article was automatically generated, editorially reviewed, and expanded with AI support.